Cape Town – The evidence leaders of the ad hoc committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have raised serious concerns about the credibility of testimony provided by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Oupa Brown Mogotsi.
The committee met on Thursday evening to receive the draft report presented by the evidence leaders, with Advocate Norman Arendse reading the findings before members.
The report focused on the alleged relationship between suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Mogotsi and Matlala, which came under scrutiny after Mkhwanazi claimed that Mogotsi had prior knowledge of the disbandment of the political killings task team (PKTT).
According to The Citizen, Mkhwanazi alleged that Mogotsi knew about the dissolution of the task team before he himself had been informed.
The evidence leaders found that Mogotsi, despite having no formal role within the South African Police Service (Saps), appeared to have access to sensitive police information.
“He was found to be in possession of sensitive Saps intelligence and to have known of the content of the 31 December 2024 within hours of its transmission,” the report stated.
The report also referenced WhatsApp messages dated 1 January 2025, allegedly showing Mogotsi informing Matlala that: “I’ve arranged a meeting for Sibiya and the minister. They must have a solution. The task team that came to your house has been dissolved.”
Mchunu initially denied knowing Mogotsi during an appearance before Parliament’s portfolio committee on police on 5 March 2025. He later clarified that he had denied recognising a person shown to him in a photograph and subsequently admitted that he did know Mogotsi.
Mogotsi testified that he worked on Mchunu’s ANC branding campaign in 2017 and had maintained regular communication with the minister through WhatsApp and Signal. He also allegedly introduced himself to several people as someone operating from within the minister’s office.
However, the evidence leaders found inconsistencies in his testimony.
“The committee, in fact, on several occasions, made it clear to Mr Mogotsi that he was not truthful about the nature of his relationship with the minister,” the report noted.
The report was equally critical of Matlala’s evidence.
According to IOL, Matlala, who has a criminal history spanning 25 years, admitted to making cash payments to former police minister Bheki Cele in exchange for assistance relating to confiscated firearms and police operations against him.
“He admitted making cash payments totalling R500 000 to former minister Bheki Cele; R300 000 in January 2025 and R200 000 in March 2025 as a facilitation fee for the return of his confiscated firearms and the cessation of police operations against him,” the report stated.
The evidence leaders said Matlala conceded under questioning that the payments were illegal and amounted to bribery.
The report further noted that Cele had not yet been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Investigators also found that Matlala admitted appointing his sister as a director of Medicare24 Tshwane District while retaining full control of the company, which he acknowledged amounted to fronting.
“But Matlala’s evidence is not credible in material respects. He was characterised as a participant in, rather than a victim of, the alleged corrupt network,” the report found.
The evidence leaders also pointed to Matlala’s close relationship with alleged narcotics manufacturer Jerry Boshoga, saying he maintained contact with him for at least two years without reporting any illegal activity to authorities.
Matlala also admitted during cross-examination that he loaned Boshoga approximately R1 million.
Committee members have requested until 4 June to study the draft report before reconvening to discuss the way forward.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
